Don’t let the April showers bring more than May flowers to your Nashville home this year

4/24/2015 (Permalink)

Make sure to always clean your gutters to stop them from clogging.

The heavy rain makes its appearance around this time each year, bringing thousands of dollars in water damage to residents all throughout the United States. Taking the time to do some preventative maintenance can save a lot of headache and money when the rain starts to pour.

According to the Institute for Business & Home Safety, there are several ways to keep your home protected from water damage occurring. 

Inside of your home

• Know the location of the shut off valve – water travels quickly, so in case of an emergency, make sure to know where the main shut off valve is located.
• Inspect hoses and faucets – check the hoses and faucets for cracks or leaks and replace any that need replaced. It is recommended to replace these every seven years.
• Inspect showers and tubs – check the seal around the shower and tub to make sure that it is tightly sealed and water is not leaking out.
• Check pipes – check the pipes for leaks or cracks, especially right after winter when there is pressure from the cold weather.
• Install an emergency pressure release valve – this will keep the pressure from increasing when the pipes are cold, keeping them from bursting.

Outside of your home

• Check downspouts for debris – make sure there isn’t anything clogging the drains causing a water backup.
• Install gutter guards – these guards are used to keep the roof gutters from clogging and makes sure that the water is being drained off of the roof properly. 
• Seal windows – make sure that there is a tight seal around your windows to keep from water leaking into the home.
• Inspect your roof – look for any damaged or missing shingles.

 Source - http://www.iii.org/article/how-protect-your-home-water-damage